As more organisations shift their IT strategy to the cloud – adopting Microsoft 365, SaaS platforms, remote collaboration tools, and distributed workforces – one legacy component often gets left behind: print.
Printing has traditionally been tethered to physical infrastructure, on-premise servers, and location-based workflows. But in a cloud-first world, that approach no longer fits.
So, what does modern print look like now?
Let’s break it down.
1. The Shift: From On-Premise to On-Demand
Legacy print systems rely on:
- Local print servers
- Site-specific drivers
- Manual fleet management
- VPNs for remote workers
These setups aren’t just clunky — they’re costly to maintain, hard to scale, and prone to downtime.
Modern print environments replace all that with:
- Cloud-based print management platforms
- Universal driver support
- Secure print release from any device or location
- Remote fleet visibility and control
This unlocks flexibility, supports hybrid work, and removes the IT burden.
2. Cloud Print Is Built for Hybrid Teams
In a cloud-first workplace, people don’t just print at the office. They print:
- At home
- From co-working spaces
- At different branches
- Using shared or personal devices
Modern solutions support:
- Secure authentication from any location
- Print from anywhere, release anywhere functionality
- Centralised reporting, even for remote staff
- Policy enforcement, regardless of where the device is
It’s no longer about where the printer is — it’s about where the user is.
3. Security Moves Front and Centre
Print has traditionally been a blind spot for cybersecurity — and in a cloud-first setup, that’s unacceptable.
Today’s cloud print solutions include:
- Encrypted data transmission
- User authentication and access control
- Secure release queues to prevent documents being left on trays
- Remote firmware updates and patching
- Detailed audit trails for compliance
If your current print environment doesn’t meet the same security standards as your cloud IT stack, it’s time to catch up.
4. Cloud-Ready Print Means IT Gets Time Back
Modern print systems reduce support tickets and hands-on management by:
- Eliminating driver installations
- Automating supplies monitoring
- Providing real-time analytics
- Centralising troubleshooting through a single platform
This frees up IT teams to focus on higher-value projects — not fixing printer drivers for the third time this week.
5. Cost Visibility & Control — Without the Overhead
With cloud-connected print, you gain:
- Real-time usage reporting
- Per-user or per-department billing visibility
- Rules-based printing to enforce duplex or mono preferences
- Central control of costs across multiple locations
You don’t need expensive, brand-specific software. The cloud makes this accessible and scalable.
How Channel IP Helps
We work with businesses across ANZ to:
- Audit existing environments
- Identify gaps, risks, and cloud-readiness
- Recommend and help implement modern, vendor-neutral print
- solutions
- Support hybrid and multi-site teams
We’re independent, and we don’t sell hardware — so our advice is focused purely on what works best for you.
Final Thought: Print Isn’t Dead — It’s Evolving
In a cloud-first world, print doesn’t go away — it just needs to evolve to match the flexibility, security, and efficiency of the rest of your stack.
The right solution is already out there. You just need a clear view of what’s possible.
